—————————————————————————Apple has used ceramic in previous and current products​

iPhone 2017 will use a similar ceramic material to the one in the Apple Watch Edition. Ceramic glass is a relatively inexpensive material used in many products today and can be presented in a variety of colors. In fact, ceramic is used in parts of the white iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S/SE models.

“Sleek, light and extremely durable, ceramic is more than four times as hard as stainless steel — with a pearly, lustrous finish that won’t scratch or tarnish”​

—————————————————————————Revealing Apple Patent Covers Ceramic Apple Watch and All-New Ceramic iPhone"Today, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed aspects of the new 'stunning ceramic' Apple Watch Edition, but more importantly perhaps, a future ceramic two-part iPhone housing that could advance Apple's true waterproof design."
8 September 2016​

It's important to note that the mythical LiquidMetal that Apple has been working on manufacturing for years is considered a ceramic-type material. I'm waiting for an analysis of the ceramic composition of the watch to see if this is their manufacturing R&D buildup for the 8 (learning how to form, shape, finish the notorious difficult to work with material at an industrial scale).

It's important to note that the mythical LiquidMetal that Apple has been working on manufacturing for years is considered a ceramic-type material. I'm waiting for an analysis of the ceramic composition of the watch to see if this is their manufacturing R&D buildup for the 8 (learning how to form, shape, finish the notorious difficult to work with material at an industrial scale).

Click to expand...

Not a true analysis, but maybe some hints from the marketing on the Apple website:"... The process of creating the Apple Watch Edition case begins with a high-strength zirconia powder that’s combined with alumina to achieve its rich, white color. ..."

I agree that ceramic will be the new phone material, and thought so as soon as I saw the new Apple Watch. Ceramic has been used in the watch world for several years, primarily with Chanel using it for entire dive watches, and Rolex using it to replace the aluminum bezels on GMT-Masters, Subs, and Daytonas. It looks great and doesn't scratch easily, but it is terrible on impact. Dropping a Rolex can cost $800 for a bezel replacement, whereas the old aluminum bezels were under $50.

Ceramic will resolve the bendgate issue and will polish up like glass without little hairline scratches and swirlies marring the surface.

All screen home button and 3D touch incorporated into the entire front glass

Volume control button will be combined into a single ringer/silent switch

Lightning free charging

​

Click to expand...

Funny, I just emailed a good friend similar thoughts. IMHO, the iPhone 7 was a 'sacrificial lamb' - Apple didn't have to remove the headphone jack or alter the home button yet but did both to pave the way for the next iPhone design which does need both.

The new iPhone (simply called iPhone from now on - they can't/won't call it iPhone 8 - but come in SE, reg and Plus variety) will have a solid glass front using OLED display. Bevel-free. Area for TouchID will illuminate with ring when needed (unlocking phone, payments) but otherwise be a part of display.

I think ceramic back will be a premium upgrade unless Apple can get costs way down.

Disagree about 128 base - Apple took forever to move up from 16 so will keep it at 32/128/256

Will be splash proof; not snorkel proof

3 gigs RAM will be plenty.

They might do a subtle curve (concave) display for the premium Plus like the early OLED TVs had...

It's important to note that the mythical LiquidMetal that Apple has been working on manufacturing for years is considered a ceramic-type material. I'm waiting for an analysis of the ceramic composition of the watch to see if this is their manufacturing R&D buildup for the 8 (learning how to form, shape, finish the notorious difficult to work with material at an industrial scale).

Click to expand...

Interesting, always knew about apples liquid metal buyout but always thought it was actually metal. If it is actually ceramic then yes I would agree the next big iPhone design will be made of it, especially since they are now testing it out on the Apple Watch first.

All screen home button and 3D touch incorporated into the entire front glass

Volume control button will be combined into a single ringer/silent switch

Lightning free charging

—————————————————————————Apple has used ceramic in previous and current products​

iPhone 2017 will use a similar ceramic material to the one in the Apple Watch Edition. Ceramic glass is a relatively inexpensive material used in many products today and can be presented in a variety of colors. In fact, ceramic is used in parts of the white iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S/SE models.

“Sleek, light and extremely durable, ceramic is more than four times as hard as stainless steel — with a pearly, lustrous finish that won’t scratch or tarnish”​

—————————————————————————Revealing Apple Patent Covers Ceramic Apple Watch and All-New Ceramic iPhone"Today, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed aspects of the new 'stunning ceramic' Apple Watch Edition, but more importantly perhaps, a future ceramic two-part iPhone housing that could advance Apple's true waterproof design."8 September 2016​

-Flush Camera: I think the only way the camera can be flush in the new model is if 1) Apple makes the iPhone thicker or 2) camera tech shrinks. It's not like Apple to go thicker and I can't see camera tech shrinking in a year (its possible). Also optical zoom needs space for movement in the housing doesn't it?

Apple has to maintain it's profit margins. I do not think they are going to give us base storage of 128GB and 4GB of RAM without at least a $100.00 price hike unless the cost of the ceramic casing is much lower than aluminum.

Many people are expecting a magical iPhone in 2017. I jus don't see Apple "giving away" all these new features in 1 model even if it is a 10 year anniversary iPhone. Apple is the type of company to sell you 5 features in 5 different iPhones rather than pack all of the features into 1.

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